“Bren where are you?” A loud voice sounded down the hall sending a shiver down his back. “I thought you said they left,” Bren said turning back to Elyse.
“Most of them have,” Elyse said hiding a timid smile behind her hand “Lady Shariel and Princess Brenda are still within your residence.”
“There you are,” Shariel said, opening the door to his study. “I brought something for you. I didn’t want your mother to find out about it so I have kept it hidden among the luggage until she left,” Shariel said as two large trunks were brought into the room. “Your father made these years ago. They were great ideas and I don’t know why he never made more, but I thought you should have them.”
“I have never seen these before,” Bren said walking over to where the two large trunks sat. They were made of a hard dark wood with large iron bands running across them, large and small gems were placed on the iron banks and Bren could tell that they were enchanted, but for what he didn’t know.
“Long ago before the last battle at Southpass Fort, your father made four of these trunks. They were designed so that when an item was placed in one it would appear in the other. They can be used once every two days. I don’t know how far they will work apart but the test model your father made worked at extreme distances.”
“So this is the reason that you and Brenda stayed back,” Bren said smiling. “It is a marvelous gift…Thank you.”
“That is not the only reason,” Shariel admitted. “Queen Maria wanted me to stay on for a few days to check on the tower. She wants to know everything about them. She believes that she has been lax in this thinking they wouldn’t be a real power for years to come. After what happened to you last year she has revised this opinion.”
“Then why is Brenda still here?”
“She heard that I was staying back, and decided it would be more interesting here than in Abla,” Shariel said trying not to laugh.
“Do you mind if borrow your advisor to show me around the tower?” Shariel asked smiling.
“Fine, as long as you promise to keep Brenda away as much as possible,” Bren replied.
“Then we will be off,” Shariel said nearly dragging Elyse from the room.
As soon as they were gone, Bren turned back to his work. There had been a lot piling up over the past few days most of them expense reports having to do with the visiting monarchs. Bren could almost see his vaults being empties as he went from report to report. The ones from the tower he was sure had been exaggerated but he didn’t feel like arguing with them over every small detail. If would cost more to hire people to investigate the expenditures than simply paying it.
“Lord Torin,” an elegant voice said, making Bren stop what he was doing to look for the source of the sound.
The area in front of his desk began to shimmer as if a thick bank of fog had entered his room. As the fog cleared, a mirror like image appeared in front of him. “Lord Torin, it is a pleasure.”
“Ah yes,” Bren said scooting back a little from his desk. “I don’t believe I have had the pleasure before.”
“My apologies, my name is Elertiues.”
“This is light magic?” Bren asked, studying the magical energy hovering in front of him. It wasn’t a clear picture of the person he was talking to, but he could make out the shape of wings on the persons back.
“Yes it is my lord,” the disembodied voice said. “I would have come to greet you in person but it would take nearly half a year to make the journey from my current location.”
“That is understandable, though I will admit, I don’t like the idea that a person can contact me in such a manner. I would guess it was important otherwise you would have simply sent a letter?”
“That it is my lord,” the voice replied. “My task is to watch the Brotherhood and warn my kind of their movements. During one such viewing, I noticed that they had something that you might find of interest.”
“And what would that be?” Bren asked skeptically.
“The location of a place that even the gods fear to venture near… The veil.” Upon hearing mentioning of the veil Bren’s eyes widened and he leaned toward the floating image. “I see that I have your attention. In the same camp that you and your fellows have been discussing is a large tent. Inside that tent is a map and on that map is the location that you seek.”
“Why would you tell me this?” Bren asked as he continued to look over the image for anything that might be useful later on.
“As you have heard my race are seekers of truth. We hate things that are hidden from our sight. Yet our own god refuses to seek out the veil. I simply wish to know the truth about what it is… And why our god has hidden it from our sight. Now I must go before one of the other discovers what I have done.”
Bren watched as the fog started to fade until there was nothing left to prove that the small apparition had even been present. Bren had heard of the creatures of light but for the life of him, their name escaped him. Even in Torin, none of their race had been seen. If it was truly one of the winged folks then its words would be beyond reproach…If it was truly one of them. The fact that it used light based magic did lend credit to it though. Even the mages who mastered the light element were usually truthful to a fault.
There was only one person whole trusted enough to discuss this with. Getting up from his seat Bren quickly grabbed up his gear and headed for the door.
Two guards were posted in the main hall and as soon as Bren appeared one of them rushed off quickly returning with Cass and three other guards. They quickly fell into line around him as he left the palace and Bren was thankfully that Cass hadn’t made an issue out of his disappearance the night before. Most likely his friend knew that he had already been told of his misdeeds and didn’t need to have it brought up again. Though from the way Cass kept his distance and didn’t even ask where they were going left Bren feeling lonely as they walked toward the tower.
With the silence hanging around him Bren quickened his pace. It was one thing to be scolded, but it was another to be left alone when surrounded by a group of friends. As he reached the base of the tower, Bren decided that he would never intentionally or unintentionally ditch his guards again.
As the previous time, he found no trouble from the guards and they quickly let him and the others pass without a word. Bren knew that Sae-Thae would be mad about his sudden visit, but there was little choice in the matter as far as he was concerned. Bren still found that guards waited outside the headmaster’s office but neither of them moved to stop him when he asked Cass and the others to wait outside while he talked with Sae-Thae.
Bren could tell Cass didn’t like being left outside but his friend didn’t object as Bren turned the knob and walked through the door without knocking.
Sae-Thae sat as his desk pouring over a large stack maps, some of them so old that their edges had yellowed and had begun to crumble. “Bren what are you doing here,” Sae-Thae asked looking up from his work surprised.
“I had a visitor and I thought it best that I consult with you about it,” Bren said, walking over to where the master sat. “An apparition appeared in my room. It used light magic and told me that it was one of the feathered folk. He told me that the brotherhood knew the location of the veil, or more to the point they had a map in their camp with its location on it. I don’t know enough about the other races to know if what he is saying is the truth or someone using a very clever lie.”
“Cherubim,” Sae-Thae said as if trying to get a bad taste out of his mouth. “I have no doubt that it is one of their kind. Even among the mages here, I don’t think there are any that can do what you just explained. It is one of the gifts of their god and requires a large amount of magical energy.”
“It sounds if you do not like the cherubim much master,” Bren said shocked at the tone of Sae-Thae’s voice.
“You are still young, but you will find that few of the races like the cherubim,” Sae-Thae replied with bitterness. “But none hate them so much as the
dwarves and vathari. Think about what you know of the different races. Remember what I told you about them when you were a child and I am sure you will begin to understand the reason.”
Bren had a small inkling about why, but he never thought master Sae-Thae was one to hate a whole race of beings. Bren didn’t know why but it seemed wrong.
“I can see that you don’t agree with my feelings,” Sae-Thae said with an apathetic look on his face. “One day you will understand, but that is not the reason that you have come to visit me is it. If the cherubim are the ones who told you then you can take the word as face. No cherubim would try to hide anything, what he told you was the truth down to the very reason that he told you.”
“Thank you master,” Bren said his mind deep in thought.
“Bren, I would suggest you be careful with the information. I know you have an impulsive streak but some things are not worth the price that is paid to get them.”
“Sometimes you will never know unless you pay that price,” Bren retorted making his master smile.
As Bren walked out of Sae-Thae’s study the only thing on his mind was his father. He might not know where the veil was but he knew where to find that answer now. The only trouble was that it was in northern Kurt. “Could he leave Torin for that long?” Bren asked himself as he mindless walked back down the steps of the tower.
Why are you worrying about something as unimportant as Torin? You know where you need to be. The sooner you leave the faster we can free your father.
“It’s not that simple, I have responsibilities,” Bren replied defensively. “I don’t know if I can leave Torin for that long unattended.”
Then pick someone to take your place. Many kings leave stewards sometimes for generations when they are dealing with a large war far away.
Thuraman was right. There were many times in history that kings have left stewards they trusted in charge of their land. The question if he had to choose who would be the best choice.
Bren started running through everyone that he knew. Some while good friends had too many other things tying them down. Lillian while a competent assistant had strong ties to the elves and might be put in a position that would force her to act in their favor. The same was true of almost everyone he knew. Wasn’t there at least one person whose only real concern were the people that he would be placed in charge of?
“It looks as if something heavy is weighing on your mind,” Cass observed.
Bren looked around and noticed that they were already halfway back to the palace. “You could say that,” Bren said before allowing himself to drop back into his own mind.
“If you were like this last night then I can understand why you disappeared…what happened?” Cass asked shaking Bren lightly.
“Sorry,” Bren replied. “It’s not something I can talk about right now. I will let you know as soon as I can come to a decision.”
Cass gave him a bewildered look but left him alone for the rest of the walk back to the palace. Bren didn’t stop when he entered the main hall. Ignoring everyone, he walked up the stairs to his study.
Large maps hung on the wall showing every inch of Kurt that was known to exist. He had spent a small fortune to hire scribes to make the maps as large and detailed as possible to aid in his search for the location of the veil.
Bren placed his hand on one of the large maps and closed his eyes. “Father what should I do?” Bren asked the empty air. “I don’t have an army and even if I did, it would be impossible to reach the Brotherhood with them. A small group would be the only chance but what will happen once we reach their camp. I will not only be risking my life, but everyone who I bring with me but there is no way that I can do this alone…and I wouldn’t want to.
“Bren,” A voice called from the door.
“Come in,” Bren said still looking at the map.
“The people are still a little restless. I think it would be best if you told them something about what decision was reached by the roundtable,” Flynn said, pushing his door open.
“Flynn,” Bren said, looking at the large soldier. “You’re perfect,” Bren said laughing to himself.
“I knew that,” Flynn said, taking a hesitant step back. “But I prefer women.”
CHAPTER XIV
For the next three days Bren barely left his office. He spent almost every waking moment planning on what to do next. Even after having picked his steward there were plenty of things to do, not to mention the fact that he had to deal with the people. To help calm nerves he had Lillian and Flynn start spreading around what had happened during the roundtable. For the most part, the information was supposed to be guarded and Bren had to work with rumors, but the people now had faith that something was being done to keep them safe.
There was so much to prepare for before he could leave that it had Bren feeling overwhelmed. The gold and supplies were the easy part but getting them together while alerting as few as people as possible was daunting. His biggest threat was Elyse. While she had proven that she could be trusted Bren didn’t know how she would take the news of him leaving. If she deemed it a threat to the tower then she would report it and it would give them time to think of the best way to exploit his absence before he had all the safeguards in place.
Bren felt like yelling as he placed his seal down on another piece of paper. He had been lax in coming up with laws seeing as he didn’t expect to have to leave so soon and he wanted to be flexible depending on the situation but he no longer had that choice. Every small thing had to be addressed so that his steward would know how to act as he would have no power to make laws, only enforce them. It was a tricky situation and one that he wished he had another ten years to prepare for but he doubted the brotherhood would give him that much time. If they learned they had something he wanted then they would most likely destroy it or plan a trap for him. The latter he must assume they have done so anyway…the first would mean the end to everything so he had to keep his true reasons secret even from his friends. He hated keeping secrets but this time there was little choice.
“You should take a break my lord,” Lillian said, making him jump.
“I didn’t hear you come in,” Bren said, pushing the small map that sat on his desk under the large stack of papers.
“As hard as you are pushing yourself, I am surprised that you are even aware what time of day it is,” Lillian said in a motherly fashion. “How much longer do you plan to stay cooped up in here?”
“Not much longer,” Bren said, looking back to the stack of papers. “I think I have almost everything prepared. In fact if you could call everyone together so that I can address them at once I would be grateful.”
“Everyone?” Lillian asked surprised.
“Flynn, Jacob, Crusher, Cass, Phena, Elyse, Sae-Thae… and anyone else that you can think of,” Bren said, not looking up from his work.
“At once my lord,” Lillian said hesitantly.
When Bren heard the door to his study shut he pulled the map back out from where he had hid it and ran his finger over the path he had chosen. First he would have to get to a port from there he would sail north so that he could pass the crescent isle that separated Northern and Southern Kurt. He could cross overland, using the large bridges that connect the island to the mainland, but it would add weeks onto his journey and would make it much more likely to be noticed.
Once he reached the northern continent, it would get tricky. It wasn’t as if he could simply travel across the land with a large number of people without a reason. He had an idea but he didn’t know if he could get it to work. It would require a small stopover in Rane capital but it would be worth the few days it would cost him if it worked.
It was more than an hour before Lillian returned to tell him that everyone of note had been assembled in the throne room. Bren thanked her for the hard work and took a deep breath before standing from his seat. His legs cramped from the long hours of sitting but Bren quickly pushed the pain from his mind. Everything was ready, all that
was left was to move the first piece.
There were far more people than he had anticipated in the throne room when he arrive. So many in fact that Bren was sure that if any more were jammed inside that floor would start to give. Everyone bowed to him as he entered the room, and Bren quickly set them at ease as he took his seat.
“I know many of you are wondering why I have called you here. The truth is that there is no easy way to go about this, but I ask that everyone remain calm until after I have finished speaking otherwise we shall be here all day.” Bren noticed the uneasy look that many of the crowd had as he spoke.
“In a few days, I will be leaving. I will be heading to Northern Kurt to talk to different lords about the brotherhood,” Bren declared. He knew that he had asked everyone to remain silent, but he expected the small bout of whispers that sprung up from the crowd and waited for them to die down.
“Unlike the other rulers, the true residents of this land live far and wide. The dwarves, Vathari, elves and all the magical people are my concern. The issue with the Brotherhood affects us the most, and as such, I need to make some alliances with other nations and not just those that border us. There will be some need for secrecy so I ask that those here do not let everyone know where I have gone…though in honesty I will be keeping that a secret except for the few who I bring along with me and even they will not know until we are safely on our way.”
“The main reason that I have called you here is that I have chosen a steward to hold my throne until I return,” Bren said, getting another rush of murmurs from the small crowd. “Flynn would you please approach the throne.”
Bren could tell from the look on Flynn’s face that he wasn’t happy about being called forward. “You’re not thinking of making me the steward,” He whispered when he was close enough no one could overhear him.
“Flynn is a proud man and one of honor and integrity. Of all those who serve under me, he is the one I trust most with the fate of my people,” Bren said, holding out his royal seal to the less than happy warrior.
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